14 Most Romantic Restaurants in Miami

There’s something about small, hole-in-the-wall restaurants with dimly lit dining rooms and candlelit seating that radiate romance even more so than a five-star steakhouse.

From Bouchon Bistro, the dimly lit French bistro from chef Thomas Keller in Coral Gables to the longtime, intimate Coconut Grove staple Le Bouchon du Grove, the Magic City has wonderful French, Italian, and modern American gems that make for a truly special evening. If you live in Broward, here are the seven most romantic restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.

For those searching for the best desserts in Miami just in time for Valentine’s Day, New Times has rounded up the 13 best dessert shops in Miami to impress your loved one with a sweet tooth (or to treat yourself).

Whether you want to wow your Hinge date with a romantic spot, celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner, or try a new restaurant with your spouse, let the sparks fly at these 14 romantic restaurants across Miami.

Amara at Paraiso

3101 NE Seventh Ave., Miami
305-702-5528
amaraatparaiso.comAmara at Paraiso is beautifully set on Biscayne Bay with lush indoor and outdoor seating, all with a waterfront view, which makes it the perfect date-night spot. James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz even calls Amara at Paraiso a “love letter to Miami.” The menu includes Latin American-influenced dishes cooked using a wood grill and a Josper charcoal oven. Plus, the waterfront spot even features a special marriage proposal package. Hint hint.

Bouchon Bistro

2101 Galiano St., Coral Gables
305-990-1360
thomaskeller.comBouchon Bistro, the dimly lit and romantic French bistro from Chef Thomas Keller, is intimate, classic, and features Bouchon’s classic bistro fare like the soupe Á  l’oignon, caramelized sweet onions in beef jus served with country bread and Comté cheese. There’s also the poulet rôtir, roasted chicken plated with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and bacon lardons in a Dijon chicken jus, and Bouchon’s best-selling dish, the steak frites. One dinner here and Bouchon Bistro made it on our most romantic list.

The Café at Books & Books

265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables
305-448-9599
booksandbooks.comAfter opening in 1982, Miami’s oldest bookstore relocated in 2001 to the beautiful Coral Gables Register of Historic Places building across the street it’s in today. Built in 1927, the café and bookstore feel like the set of a romance novel that takes place in the ’80s or ’90s. You’ll find smiling faces mingling over espresso and sandwiches, a couple sipping wine while diving into books, or a woman having a slice of chocolate cake while writing a novel. Plus, the menu is divine, ranging from breakfast sandwiches and yogurt parfaits to grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup and great salads.

Café Panisse

7310 SW 57th Ave., South Miami
305) 665-3322
instagram.com/cafepastissomiFormerly called Café Pastis, this bistro has been a staple in South Miami for more than two decades, serving delicious French cuisine inside a small yet intimate restaurant. Café Panisse immediately transports its guests to France with its bistro tables, French ambiance, and lovely decor. Try the first-rate steak frites or a superlative bouillabaisse, followed by a cookbook-perfect crème brûlée, and be thankful you’re in Panisse’s neighborhood.

Casa Tua

1700 James Ave., Miami Beach
305-673-1010
casatualife.comSet in an inviting and intimate Mediterranean villa surrounded by a serene garden, Casa Tua feels exactly like its name: your home. The Tuscan theme extends to a menu that evokes a weekend getaway to Southern Europe: spaghetti, beef tenderloin, and branzino. Leave room for dessert – the signature dessert platter for two is not to be missed. And if you don’t plan to drive, explore the exhaustive collection of wines to pair with your fairytale dining experience.

LPM Restaurant & Bar

1300 Brickell Bay Dr., Miami
305-401-9133
lpmrestaurants.comForget your passport. LPM offers an easier way to transport you to the French Riviera with its bold 20th-century artwork, 19th-century gilt and harlequin mirrors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and niçoise cuisine; it’s truly romantic. The fine dining here is centered around fresh ingredients, tastes, and textures central to the Mediterranean and Southern France. The menu may sound somewhat simple compared to nearby hot spots, but the focus is on quality and authenticity. Plus, the cocktails here are superb.

Le Bouchon du Grove

3430 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove
305-448-6060
lebouchondugrove.netLe Bouchon Du Grove has been a hidden gem in the Grove since 1994. This quaint bistro, inspired by the city of Lyon, serves food that’s hearty, authentic, and deeply flavorful. The menu captures the flavors of France, whether at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mornings bring French omelets and raspberry pancakes, and evenings feature escargot and French onion soup and entrées like the exquisite moules marinières pommes frites. For dessert at any time of the day, try crème brûlée or chocolate mousse. For couples seeking a laid-back, rustic meal that teleports, this is the spot.

Macchialina

820 Alton Rd., Miami Beach
305-534-2124
macchialina.comTucked away in a tiny plaza along Alton Road, this local favorite has been Miami Beach’s best-kept romantic secret for more than a decade. The dimly lit restaurant, which just underwent a makeover, is full of candlelit tables and wine bottles that will surely make you fall in love. Helmed by Chef Michael Pirolo, his menu of rustic pasta and entrées is truly authentic. The flavors are forward and simple, as made known in its salumi plate, a salad of heirloom tomatoes and locally made burrata cheese, a tagliatelle ai funghi, or a whole braised fish. The wine list is similarly concise.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

4312 NE Second Ave., Miami
305-749-9140
mandolinmiami.comTake a stroll along NE Second Avenue in the Design District and stop at the blue-framed door of Mandolin Aegean Bistro, one of Miami’s most loved restaurants. Enter the 1940s home, and you will feel like you’re in a Greek village, complete with blue and white accents and white tables. Head to the romantic back patio with bistro lights for a complete Grecian experience, and enjoy housemade bread and a trio of dips, whole grilled sea bass, chicken kebabs, and more.

The Surf Club Restaurant

9011 Collins Ave., Surfside
305-768-9440
surfclubrestaurant.comIf your idea of optimal romance lies in a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, then Thomas Keller’s the Surf Club Restaurant is the only setting that will do. This exquisite restaurant is all “champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” as they say. Thomas Keller’s menu is a hit list of every decadent classic white tablecloth dish: caesar salad served tableside, lobster thermidor, Dover sole, and beef Wellington executed exceptionally. It’s truly a romantic must-do.

Sapore di Mare

3111 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove
305-476-8292
saporedimaremiami.comSapore di Mare is a hidden gem in the Grove that features seafood dishes from Campania, a region in Italy that includes Naples and the Amalfi Coast. All of the fish is sourced exclusively from the Mediterranean, and Sapore is known for its crudo selection. If you choose to veer off the seafood path, try the tagliolini cacio e pepe served in a barrel of cheese. Sapore has achieved the kind of convivial atmosphere that attracts the most enviable clientele: year-round locals looking for romance.

Sospiro Natural Wine Bar

2626 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables
305-631-2029
sospirowinebar.comThis cozy and quaint Coral Gables gem just (quietly) screams romantic date night. From its selection of natural wines from small, independent growers, paired with its Mediterranean-inspired Italian menu, Sospiro is a romantic delight. Enjoy its cozy backyard garden as you savor small plates, charcuterie, oysters, pasta, and risotto. Plus, the spot offers wine flights, which is the perfect way to break the ice on a date early on in any relationship.

Sunny’s Steakhouse

Sunny’s Steakhouse
7357 NW Miami Ct., Miami
sunnysmia.comEven though Sunny’s Steakhouse recently opened in Little River, its gorgeous, Americana-meets-Floridian-inspired dining room, bar, and outdoor patio make it a romantic staple. Here, whether you sit outside under the bistro-lit tree on the patio, take a seat at the beautiful bar, or sit at a booth in the Florida-style dining room facing French-style doors, you are in for a treat. From the great cocktail list to its array of pasta dishes, steaks, a full raw bar, and exciting desserts, it’s the perfect choice for a romantic evening.

Zucca Miami

162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables
786-580-3731
zuccamiami.comSince opening in March 2017 inside Coral Gables’ historic Hotel St. Michel, Zucca has become a staple in Coral Gables, known for its traditional Italian cuisine, an award-winning wine cellar with more than 2,000 bottles, and warm hospitality. Chef de cuisine Manuel Garcia, who has honed his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, leads the kitchen. His signature dishes, such as veal parmesan and stuffed zucchini flowers, have won the hearts of locals.